The Walt Whitman Archive

In Whitman's Hand

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About this Item

Title: Amos T. Akerman to D. T. Corbin, 18 December 1871

Date: December 18, 1871

Whitman Archive ID: nar.02265

Source: National Archives and Records Administration. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.

I have considered your account for compensation for services at Raleigh and Yorkville.

I feel somewhat perplexed on the subject of your compensation while the sum which you have fixed would not be at all extravagant
between an Attorney and private clients yet it is much above the rate which the Government usually pays—and therefore if I were to allow it, both you and I might be subjected to some misconstruction.

As you have referred the matter to my decision, I will make this change;—leaving the compensation for services out of your State, at Raleigh, at the amount which you fixed, to wit, $350 for compensation, and $50 for expenses, and reducing your compensation at Yorkville to $800—making $1200 in all—a draft for which sum will be sent you from the Treasury Department in the regular course of business.